Chapter 41 Like Father, Like Son

Olivia stood her ground, her voice firm and unwavering as she met David's gaze in the spacious living room of Sinclair Villa.

"I refuse," she declared, her tone resolute, leaving no room for doubt or negotiation.

David, taken aback by her words, struggled to comprehend. "What... What did you say?" he stammered, seeking clarification.

"I said, I refuse," Olivia reiterated slowly, enunciating each word deliberately, ensuring her message was clear to him.

A shadow crossed David's face, his expression souring with displeasure. This wasn't the first time Olivia had defied him, adding to the tension lingering from their previous encounter.

"Olivia, please don't be stubborn," he implored, his voice tinged with frustration. "I understand you're still upset about Mom's decision that day at Parker Villa. But we're family. And without Mom and Dad, you wouldn't even be back with the Sinclairs," he reasoned, hoping to appeal to her sense of gratitude.

Olivia's gaze remained steady as she met his pleading eyes. "So, according to you, I should be indebted to you all?" she countered, her tone laced with skepticism.

Before David could respond, Olivia interjected firmly, "Furthermore, I'm no longer part of your family. I am Olivia Sinclair now."

"Even if you find your biological parents, we'll still be family!" David insisted, his frustration mounting. "Or are you really like what they say that now you're back in the Sinclair family, you don't want anything to do with us?"

Olivia stared at him, calmly asking, "What if I say yes?"
...

When Tom went downstairs to get freshly squeezed juice, he saw Owen leaning against the railing on the side of the second-floor staircase. Owen was watching something with an amused expression on his face. As Tom approached, he happened to hear Olivia's words.

The Sinclair Villa boasted two living rooms: one situated at the front and the other at the rear. Typically reserved for formal events like family gatherings or hosting guests, the front living room exuded an air of elegance. In contrast, the smaller back living room overlooked the second-floor railing. From this vantage point, one could easily observe the activities unfolding in the back living room below.

Tom almost instantly forgot about the juice and immediately changed his route toward where Owen was.

The two of them stood together and listened to the gossip downstairs.

Downstairs, Olivia's voice carried through the room, her demeanor icy as she asserted, "The day I left Parker Villa, I made it clear that I no longer consider myself related to you. Even if I'm not part of the Sinclair family, I refuse to acknowledge you."

David's initial reaction was one of displeasure, swiftly masked by restraint. With a stern expression, he addressed Olivia, "Regardless of our parents' actions, they raised you. Are you so quick to disown us? Do you realize the pain you've caused the Parkers? Their argument that day, their illness—it all stemmed from your actions."

Softening his tone, David continued, "Yet they harbor no resentment towards you. They're even willing to offer you Grandma's bracelet. Mom and Dad have been nothing but kind to you. Why can't you see that?"

A flicker of annoyance passed over Olivia's features. She had always thought of David as the only normal person in the Parker family. After all, from childhood to adulthood, David never intentionally suppressed her like Nicole or deliberately caused her trouble.

Instead, he took the initiative to support her studies, showered her with birthday presents, and offered comfort whenever Kayla scolded her. In response, she began to view David as an older brother figure. She went out of her way to assist him and sought solace in their relationship.

However, as time passed, she came to a realization: David wasn't the person Olivia had believed him to be. His concern for her studies stemmed solely from his desire to avoid bringing shame upon the Parker family. The birthday gifts he presented were from an admirer, and he withheld affection. His comforting gestures were merely to deter her from resenting her family.

In comparison to the rest of the Parker family, David excelled at concealing his hypocrisy and self-interest. In this aspect, he bore a striking resemblance to Paul.

"That bracelet was originally left to me by Grandma. If you want my help, I'll only let Nicole personally return the things she snatched from me. I have already been good to you. Why are you so unsatisfied?" Olivia returned David's words to him bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Tom almost couldn't help but laugh out loud. Fortunately, he quickly covered his mouth and suppressed his amusement.

The two people downstairs seemed completely unaware of the presence of the two upstairs.

David furrowed his brows and exclaimed, "Nicole is injured! She's badly hurt!"

"What's that got to do with me?"

David recoiled at Olivia's accusation. "How can you say such things? Nicole has considered you her sister for over a decade!"

Olivia's smile turned icy, her gaze unwavering. "She pushed me towards an oncoming car. What more evidence do you need?"

She kept the truth of that accident to herself, knowing it would fall on deaf ears.

The incident, initially intended to harm Nicole, ended with Olivia surviving—a fact that astonished both Kayla and Nicole.

David's disbelief was palpable. "That's absurd! Olivia, you may be shaken from the accident, but blaming Nicole is unjust," David scolded, his disappointment evident in his tone.

Tom was stunned upstairs. When he heard the other person actually accuse Olivia of "making a big deal out of these little things," he couldn't take it anymore.

"He's really infuriating!" Tom cursed while rolling up his sleeves. Then, he turned around and ran downstairs. His movements were so fast that Owen couldn't even stop him in time.

It was at this moment that David downstairs suddenly realized that there was someone upstairs. His expression changed slightly.

In comparison, Olivia's reaction was much calmer. Obviously, she knew that there was someone upstairs long ago.

Tom had already quickly run downstairs. He was wearing slippers and went straight into the living room. Immediately, he started pointing at David and scolding him, "Oh my god! The whole Parker family is insane. The woman is malicious. The man is hypocritical and fake! Her sister pushes her and gets hit by a car, and all she says is that she's being too dramatic. Well, why don't you go out and get hit by a car, too?

"Oh, look at your arm. You probably already have been hit by a car, haven't you? When you crashed into the hospital, were you only concerned about getting your hand treated? Why didn't you have the doctor check your brain? I bet your brain has been damaged for a long time!"